Sonnax Pinless 1-2 or 3-4 Accumulator Pistons
10-16-2017, 09:45 PM
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Sonnax Pinless Accumulator [77998-03K]: Spring(s) Hey Guys!! New to LS1Tech.
I want to Apologise in advance, as I can't for the life of me find out how to Create a THREAD on this Site. And I'm Detail-Oriented AF. Here it goes ....
I'm replacing my 1-2 Accumulator in my 4L60e. My Car is a 2000 Z28, Bone Stock.
(No Shift-Kit or anything creating excess Power passed the Stock Setup) All OEM Parts in the 4L60e.
I have just purchased the Sonnax Pinless 1-2 Accumulator, PN#77998-03K. I have read the Instructions, and Understand how to Install it. But I need to know what Spring(s) are supposed to be used with it, if they need changed.
I did read somewhere that a few people Installed the Sonnax 77990-03K in their STOCK 4L60e, and Complained about a ridiculously Hard Shift. It may have been an SUV or Silverado Truck, Idk. But Definitely Stock 4L60e's.
I am changing my ATF to Synthetic Valvoline Dexron VI, exchanging it with the Trans Pan off and installing a New WIX Filter when done. I am Exchanging ALL the Fluid out, and have 1qt of ATF Conditioner to add when done. I have (2) 4-qt Jugs & (4) 1-qt Bottles of ATF.
(Just FYI)
While the 4L60e is open, I am replacing the 1-2 Accumulator to the Sonnax Pinless just to make sure I don't have issues with my car down the road. The 4L60e has no problems. The car has 80k miles, and was noticeably slow to accelerate last winter below 20 Degrees F. So I know the Fluid needs changed. I isn't burnt, and is a darkish-red. Mostly Highway miles I drive.
I have had the car since 2004 when it had 18k miles on it. Ever since I've owned the car, the 1st to 2nd Gear was always Stiff compared to the other gear-shifts. I've been told by many who have the 4L60e, that the 1st to 2nd Ratio is higher than the other gears, and creates this 'Crisper Shift'. A lot of people with LS-Cars tell me this is how it is supposed to be, and many like it even Stiffer. But 1st to 2nd is 'Crisp' enough to loose traction in cold wet weather. In fact, even accelerating super slow at just 1,000 RPM, I can loose traction with 2 inches of Snow on the ground. [LoL] I always hate that.
Over 10 years ago at 25k miles, I poured Half a quart of Lucas Transmission Fix in to see what it would do, and it did help. But only to some degree. I'm sure most people think my Standards for how an Automatic should shift in an LS-Car are lame. But I do like a Smooth Shift as opposed to a hard shift. (At least with normal driving around town)
I used to have a 1994 Z28 with the same Transmission, and it was Smoother.
(Maybe Less Power = Smoother Shifting?!?)
I read on many forums that the Accumulators in the 4L60e actually determine how the Shifts Feel. I've had my Z28 for over 13 years, and just learning this stuff.
I Figured since I am doing an ATF Change, I may as well install a Pinless 1-2 Accumulator while I'm at it.
I've read that the OEM Accumulators are Plastic, and even replacing with an Aluminium part leaves for possible issues for wear of the Pins which can allow ATF to leak through and cause issues. And the 1-2 is the one that Wears the most, since it shifts almost every time we push on the gas.
If I'm replacing the 1-2 Accumulator, I may as well install the Pinless Sonnax.
Now, I'm reading many forums about how Installing the Pinless Sonnax Accumulator can create Stiffer Shifts??
But it is the Spring that actually Determines how hard or soft/Crisp or Smooth the gear changes are. And at least for our 4L60e's, the Stiffer the Spring, the Stiffer the Shift.
Which obviously means the Softer the spring, the Softer and Smoother the Shift.
I'm not trying to jello my shift, just get it to 'Glide' a little smoother.
And I DO know that a hard-shift is harder on the actual Gears.
*So my Real Question is: Does using the Stock Spring with the Sonnax Pinless Accumulator create a Stiffer Shift than with the OEM Accumulator?!? And if so, what is the Appropriate Spring that is just a Step Softer than the OEM one??
**Links to Additional Info and Springs are Appreciated**
I want to Apologise in advance, as I can't for the life of me find out how to Create a THREAD on this Site. And I'm Detail-Oriented AF. Here it goes ....
I'm replacing my 1-2 Accumulator in my 4L60e. My Car is a 2000 Z28, Bone Stock.
(No Shift-Kit or anything creating excess Power passed the Stock Setup) All OEM Parts in the 4L60e.
I have just purchased the Sonnax Pinless 1-2 Accumulator, PN#77998-03K. I have read the Instructions, and Understand how to Install it. But I need to know what Spring(s) are supposed to be used with it, if they need changed.
I did read somewhere that a few people Installed the Sonnax 77990-03K in their STOCK 4L60e, and Complained about a ridiculously Hard Shift. It may have been an SUV or Silverado Truck, Idk. But Definitely Stock 4L60e's.
I am changing my ATF to Synthetic Valvoline Dexron VI, exchanging it with the Trans Pan off and installing a New WIX Filter when done. I am Exchanging ALL the Fluid out, and have 1qt of ATF Conditioner to add when done. I have (2) 4-qt Jugs & (4) 1-qt Bottles of ATF.
(Just FYI)
While the 4L60e is open, I am replacing the 1-2 Accumulator to the Sonnax Pinless just to make sure I don't have issues with my car down the road. The 4L60e has no problems. The car has 80k miles, and was noticeably slow to accelerate last winter below 20 Degrees F. So I know the Fluid needs changed. I isn't burnt, and is a darkish-red. Mostly Highway miles I drive.
I have had the car since 2004 when it had 18k miles on it. Ever since I've owned the car, the 1st to 2nd Gear was always Stiff compared to the other gear-shifts. I've been told by many who have the 4L60e, that the 1st to 2nd Ratio is higher than the other gears, and creates this 'Crisper Shift'. A lot of people with LS-Cars tell me this is how it is supposed to be, and many like it even Stiffer. But 1st to 2nd is 'Crisp' enough to loose traction in cold wet weather. In fact, even accelerating super slow at just 1,000 RPM, I can loose traction with 2 inches of Snow on the ground. [LoL] I always hate that.
Over 10 years ago at 25k miles, I poured Half a quart of Lucas Transmission Fix in to see what it would do, and it did help. But only to some degree. I'm sure most people think my Standards for how an Automatic should shift in an LS-Car are lame. But I do like a Smooth Shift as opposed to a hard shift. (At least with normal driving around town)
I used to have a 1994 Z28 with the same Transmission, and it was Smoother.
(Maybe Less Power = Smoother Shifting?!?)
I read on many forums that the Accumulators in the 4L60e actually determine how the Shifts Feel. I've had my Z28 for over 13 years, and just learning this stuff.
I Figured since I am doing an ATF Change, I may as well install a Pinless 1-2 Accumulator while I'm at it.
I've read that the OEM Accumulators are Plastic, and even replacing with an Aluminium part leaves for possible issues for wear of the Pins which can allow ATF to leak through and cause issues. And the 1-2 is the one that Wears the most, since it shifts almost every time we push on the gas.
If I'm replacing the 1-2 Accumulator, I may as well install the Pinless Sonnax.
Now, I'm reading many forums about how Installing the Pinless Sonnax Accumulator can create Stiffer Shifts??
But it is the Spring that actually Determines how hard or soft/Crisp or Smooth the gear changes are. And at least for our 4L60e's, the Stiffer the Spring, the Stiffer the Shift.
Which obviously means the Softer the spring, the Softer and Smoother the Shift.
I'm not trying to jello my shift, just get it to 'Glide' a little smoother.
And I DO know that a hard-shift is harder on the actual Gears.
*So my Real Question is: Does using the Stock Spring with the Sonnax Pinless Accumulator create a Stiffer Shift than with the OEM Accumulator?!? And if so, what is the Appropriate Spring that is just a Step Softer than the OEM one??
**Links to Additional Info and Springs are Appreciated**
Last edited by Diog; 10-16-2017 at 09:50 PM. Reason: More Details
09-03-2018, 11:49 AM
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That is probably too general a question for anyone to answer as it depends upon all the mods made, special parts added, applications and personal preferences.
See PBA's suggestions for the Transgo HD2 kit in post #13 in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
I know he and other builders drill the 3rd feed hole (also called 2-3 shift hole) quite large, in the range of .100 to .125. This not only firms up the 2-3 shift as much as possible, but IMO helps overcome any small leakage in the 3/4 clutch circuit.
See PBA's suggestions for the Transgo HD2 kit in post #13 in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
I know he and other builders drill the 3rd feed hole (also called 2-3 shift hole) quite large, in the range of .100 to .125. This not only firms up the 2-3 shift as much as possible, but IMO helps overcome any small leakage in the 3/4 clutch circuit.
